The author describes the contemporary state of knowledge of elevated amounts of copper in drinking water due to corrosion of copper pipes.The author mentions briefly the importance of copper as an essential element, sources of copper, daily requirement and intake, metabolism. He mentions also causes of corrosion of pipes, described toxic effects of copper in drinking water, other advantages and disadvantages ensuing from an increased copper content and possible remedi- es.The author gives a detailed critical account of the approach to regulation to the copper content of drinking water in different countries, and WHO. He describes the unsatisfactory legislation in the Czech Republic as regards correct installation of copper pipes and evaluation of the quality of copper pipes used in the Czech Republic. In the conclusion he recommends legal and health educational measures which must be adopted in the Czech Republic to ensure the safe use of copper installations for drinking water.

        Key words: drinking water - copper pipes - copper - toxic effect